After 19 Years Serving Our Nation’s Veterans, I Never Expected to Need Help Myself
For nearly two decades, I had the privilege of serving America’s Veterans as a physician at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida. My life’s work was helping patients and families through some of the most difficult moments they would ever face.
My name is Dr. Jocelyn Mennie. I grew up in poverty and worked my way through medical school because I believed medicine was more than a profession—it was a calling.
As a board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, I helped build the VA’s interdisciplinary Palliative Care Consult Team, caring for Veterans with serious illnesses, relieving suffering, supporting families, and teaching residents, medical students, and fellows. Serving those who served our country was the greatest honor of my career.
Then my own health changed everything.
Progressive spinal disease left me with severe pain and increasing difficulty walking. During 2025, I was hospitalized multiple times, including for heart attacks. Despite every effort to continue working, my condition worsened until I had no choice but to retire after 19 years of service.
Retirement at this stage was not part of the plan.
My income dropped dramatically while my medical expenses soared. Because my insurance would not cover the spinal surgery recommended by my surgeons, I paid approximately $100,000 out of pocket and $40,000 for outpatient treatment. Additional hospital visits, rehabilitation, medications, and ongoing medical care quickly exhausted my retirement savings.
Today, I am still recovering from surgery and continue working to regain my mobility.
The financial impact has been devastating. I now face a $150,000 home equity line of credit with a high interest rate, approximately $85,000 in credit-card debt incurred while paying for essential medical care and living expenses, and the ongoing costs of recovery.
I am seeking to raise $250,000 to stabilize my finances, preserve my home, continue my rehabilitation, and rebuild my life after an unexpected medical crisis.
Reaching out like this to ask for help is one of the scariest things I have ever done. If you are able to donate or simply share my story, you will be giving hope to someone who dedicated her career to caring for others.
Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.
Dr. Jocelyn Mennie
